Reborn as a Nara

twelve

C H A P T E R 1 2
— Zabuza vs Shirayuki ; Haku vs Sasuke

There was a saying she used to hear, something people would tell her when they discover what her most feared thing was. Take chances and make mistakes, they said, it was how one would grow. But Shirayuki knew that most times, those quotes were sheer, utter bullshit. Because there were mistakes that can cause something to be irreplaceable, making unchangeable problems, and leaving behind nothing but a mountain load of regrets.

This was one of those times.

Right, Shirayuki inhaled harshly. Calm down. Shirayuki fell into a loose stance, her guard up. Her shadow was directly attached to Tazuna, ready to bolt at a moment's notice. She hesitated before angling so that her body could take on any damage towards Sasuke in time. Sorry, Naruto, as important as he thought she might be, she was definitely less valuable compared to Sasuke.

"Did that sensei of yours run away with his tail clipped?" Zabuza mocked. "Pity. I was looking for a rematch but all I'm getting are small fries like you."

Taunting. The taunting was alright, it was like trash-talking. Hit where it'll hurt most, direct it to the ego, claim the pride, burn the honour. Shirayuki smiled, her expression flat and devoid of personal emotions. All a facade, something she hoped would work in her favour.

"Nah, he decided that you'd be dealt with easily. Sending us might actually make you feel like you're worth something," Shirayuki shot back, willing herself to remain calm in the face of an adversary she was painfully clear of her incompetency against. "But of course, running away is what you're the best at, right? Faking death, how brave of you."

("That tongue of yours is going to get you killed one day.")

Zabuza gave a shark bark of laughter, "And yet he decided to send both of you on a suicidal mission. I'll be merciful, give me the old man and we won't slaughter you kids today."

Shirayuki curved her lips up into a sweet smile before responding, "Go fuck yourself."

Zabuza glared venomously, his blades held upwards. The stance he took on was something that was completely unfamiliar to Shirayuki, unsurprisingly, as the other was one of those legendary seven swordsmen of the mist. Her only move was to jump back, jerking for Sasuke to follow suit.

"Haku, take the other kid," Zabuza gestured. "I'll deal with the little girl."

"Yes, Zabuza-sama," the boy whispered.

Shirayuki inhaled before she began talking again, "So, why are you still after Tazuna-san? Petty revenge?"

"I have a job." Zabuza responded, "I finish all my jobs. Meeting Sharingan Kakashi was just a blimp. Finishing you off and sending your heads to his doorstep would be a filling enough revenge for me."

"How crude," Shirayuki grinned, thrusting the kunai upwards to block his attack. Fun fact, blocking a legendary sword wielded by an equally legendary wielder with nothing but a kunai was hell. She grunted under the weight, the pain slamming into her shoulders like a thousand bones shattering yet not.

Zabuza looked mildly impressed. "Didn't break?" he commented, sounding astonished as he eyed her arms with an almost impressed glint in his eyes. Shirayuki winced the moment she noticed her shadow control over Tazuna snapping, lurching back towards her. Her shadow extended to capture Zabuza's, holding control over it. Then, her eyes widened in horror.

It was a clone.

"Fuck!" Shirayuki cursed. She made him disperse his own clone before jumping straight towards Tazuna. The objective of the mission isn't to fight against the opponents, it's to protect the client. Don't forget. Don't lose sight of the mission objective. Shirayuki landed right in front of Tazuna and pushed, getting rid of her client that was within harmful reach.